Discourse Approach to Turn-taking

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DISCOURSE APPROACH TO TURN-TAKING

FROM THE PERSPECTIVE OF TONE CHOICE BETWEEN SPEAKERS

by

Fuyuko Kato

A dissertation submitted to the

Faculty of Arts

of the University of Birmingham

in part fulfillment of the requirements

for the degree of

Master of Arts

in

Teaching English as a Foreign or Second Language (TEFL/TESL)

This dissertation consists of approximately 14,000 words

Supervisor: Martin Hewings

Centre for English Language Studies

Department of English

University of Birmingham

Edgbaston, Birmingham B15 2TT

United Kingdom

March 2000

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ABSTRACT

Turn-taking is one of the basic mechanisms in conversation, and the convention of

turn-taking varies between cultures and languages; therefore, learners of a foreign

language may find it difficult to take their turns naturally and properly in other

tongues. This paper aims to examine how tone signals turn-taking, with respect to the

function of tone choice. The tone description is based on Brazil’s account of the

intonation system, which supposes that tone reflects the context of interaction and the

role-relationship between participants. A movie film is chosen as material because it

allows constant reference to the context; however, it is suggested that a film should be

carefully chosen according to the aim of teaching. The analysis of utterances in turn-

taking revealed that statement-form utterances, utterances with a falling tone, and

statement-form utterances with a falling tone mostly elicit turn-taking and back-

channel responses. In responding to the speaker’s utterance, it is suggested that tone

choice in terms of its meaning in the context should be always taken into account,

together with prominent words. Through the research, it has been realized that tone

conveys the speaker’s message and plays a significant role in turn-taking.

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